Method and device for pictorial representation of space-related data

Abstract

A method and device for the pictorial representation of space-related data, for example, geographical data of the earth. Such methods are used for visualising visualizing topographical or meteorological data in the form of weather maps or weather forecast films. Further fields of application are found in tourism, in traffic control, in navigation aids and also in studio technology. The space-related data, for example topography, actual cloud distribution, configurations of roads, rivers or frontiers, satellite images, actual temperatures, historical views, CAD-models, actual camera shots, are called up, stored or generated in a spatially distributed fashion. For a screen representation of a view of the object according to a field of view of a virtual observer, the required data are called up and shown only in the resolution required for each individual section of the image. The sub-division of the image into sections with different spatial resolutions is preferably effected according to the method of a binary or quadrant tree.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of providing a pictorial representation of space-related data of a selectable object, the representation corresponding to the a view of the object by an observer with a selectable location and a selectable direction of view comprising:
 (a) providing a plurality of spatially distributed data sources for storing space-related data; 
 (b) determining a field of view including the an area of the object to be represented through the a selection of the a distance of the observer to the object and the an angle of view of the observer to the object; 
 (c) requesting data for the field of view from at least one of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources; 
 (d) centrally storing the data for the field of view; 
 (e) representing the data for the field of view in a pictorial representation having one or more sections; 
 (f) using a computer, dividing each of the one or more sections having image resolutions below a desired image resolution into a plurality of smaller sections, requesting higher resolution space related space-related data for each of the smaller sections from at least one of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources, centrally storing the higher resolution space related space-related data, and representing the data for the field of view in a the pictorial representation; and 
 (g) repeating step (f), dividing the sections into smaller sections, until every section has the desired image resolution or no higher image resolution data is available. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including altering the selectable location and performing the steps (b) through (g). 
     
     
       3. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 2 , further including determining the data and/or the co-ordinates of the data in terms of a new co-ordinate system. 
     
     
       4. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including altering the selectable direction of the view and performing the steps (b) through (g). 
     
     
       5. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 4 , further including determining the data and/or the co-ordinates of the data in terms of a new co-ordinate system. 
     
     
       6. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step (f) further includes requesting data of a uniform resolution for each of the smaller sections. 
     
     
       7. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the steps (c) and (f) further include requesting data not already centrally stored from only one of the spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       8. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step (f) further includes showing only the centrally stored data of each section with the highest spatial density. 
     
     
       9. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step (f) further includes effecting the representation of the data in an optional pre-set form of representation. 
     
     
       10. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including removing the data of a section from the central store when the section passes out of the field of view due to an alteration in the location or of the angle of the view. 
     
     
       11. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including permanently centrally storing at least one full set of space-related data with a low spatial resolution. 
     
     
       12. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including not showing the regions of the object located with respect to the observer behind nontransparent areas of the object. 
     
     
       13. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step (f) comprises dividing each of the one or more sections using a model of the binary tree. 
     
     
       14. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step (f) comprises dividing each of the one or more sections using a model of the quadrant tree. 
     
     
       15. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step (f) comprises dividing the sections using a model of the octant tree. 
     
     
       16. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including using an adaptive sub-division model with a plurality of models used next to one another for sub-dividing the field of view into smaller sections. 
     
     
       17. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the data are present as pixel graphics and/or as vector graphics and/or in tabular form. 
     
     
       18. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the object is a heavenly body. 
     
     
       19. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 18 , wherein the steps (e) and (f) further include representating representing the data with a two-dimensional polygonal geometrical model of the topography of the object, the spatial relationship of the data being given by the provision of two co-ordinates on the polygonal geometrical model. 
     
     
       20. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 19 , wherein height information is represented as color vertices on the two-dimensional polygonal geometrical model. 
     
     
       21. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 19 , wherein an adaptive topographical grid model is used, the spatial distance between two grid lines becoming smaller as the topographical altitude becomes greater. 
     
     
       22. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 19 , wherein the step (f) further includes dividing each of the one or more sections using a model of the quadrant tree. 
     
     
       23. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 22 , wherein the step (f) further includes dividing each of the one or more sections using an adaptive sub-division model such that the sub-division merges into a binary tree at the poles. 
     
     
       24. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 19 , wherein in the two-dimensional polygonal grid model, spatial data are shown on a plurality of different two-dimensional layers. 
     
     
       25. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 18 , wherein the representation in the steps (e) and (f) is in the form of a globe. 
     
     
       26. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 18 , wherein the representation in the steps (e) and (f) is in the form of cartographic form of representation. 
     
     
       27. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the object is the earth. 
     
     
       28. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the steps (e) and (f) further include representing the data with a polygonal grid model. 
     
     
       29. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 28 , wherein the step (f) comprises dividing the sections using a model of the octant tree. 
     
     
       30. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the steps (e) and (f) further include representing the data with a three-dimensional geometrical model of the topography of the objects, the spatial relationship of the data being given by the provision of three co-ordinates on the geometrical model. 
     
     
       31. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the space-related data include CAD models. 
     
     
       32. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including inserting animated objects into the pictorial representation. 
     
     
       33. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including inserting display tables into the pictorial representation. 
     
     
       34. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , further including inserting information and/or directly generated image material into the representation. 
     
     
       35. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim  1  34, wherein the directly generated image material includes camera shots. 
     
     
       36. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the space related space-related data are provided with references to further spatial data. 
     
     
       37. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the space related space-related data are provided with references to thematically adjacent data. 
     
     
       38. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the space related space-related data are provided with references to data of the same area with another resolution. 
     
     
       39. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1  further including determining a probability for the regions surrounding the field of view that the regions will pass into the field of view when there is an alteration in the location or of the angle of view of the observer. 
     
     
       40. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 39  further including requesting and centrally storing the data of the areas with the highest probability. 
     
     
       41. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the steps (c) and (f) further include transmitting data asynchronously. 
     
     
       42. The method of pictorial representation defined in  claim 1 , wherein the steps (e) and (f) further include showing the data on a screen. 
     
     
       43. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of computers can access the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       44. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, further including altering the selectable direction of the view, performing the steps (b) through (g), and determining the data and/or the co-ordinates of the data in terms of a new co-ordinate system. 
     
     
       45. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 44, wherein a pictorial representation is provided to the observer when the selectable direction of the view is altered and the steps (b) through (g) are performed. 
     
     
       46. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, further including altering the selectable location of the view, performing the steps (b) through (g), and determining the data and/or the co-ordinates of the data in terms of a new co-ordinate system. 
     
     
       47. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 46, wherein a pictorial representation is provided to the observer when the selectable location of the view is altered and the steps (b) through (g) are performed. 
     
     
       48. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least two of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       49. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least three of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       50. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least four of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       51. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, further including inserting directly generated image material into the representation, wherein the directly generated image material includes images captured by a running camera. 
     
     
       52. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, wherein the space-related data are provided with references to thematically adjacent data. 
     
     
       53. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 52, wherein the references are hyperlinks. 
     
     
       54. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, wherein the space-related data are provided with references to further spatial data. 
     
     
       55. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 54, wherein the references are hyperlinks. 
     
     
       56. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, wherein said at least one of the spatially distributed data sources is located where the space-related data is collected or processed. 
     
     
       57. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 43, wherein the steps (e) and (f) further include representing the data with a two-dimensional polygonal geometrical model of the topography of the object, the spatial relationship of the data being given by the provision of two co-ordinates on the polygonal geometrical model, and further wherein in the two-dimensional polygonal grid model, space-related data are shown on a plurality of different two-dimensional layers. 
     
     
       58. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein the step (b) includes determining the field of view using an automatic position-fixing system. 
     
     
       59. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, further including altering the selectable direction of the view, performing the steps (b) through (g), and determining the data or the co-ordinates of the data in terms of a new co-ordinate system. 
     
     
       60. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 59, wherein the pictorial representation is provided to the observer when the selectable direction of the view is altered and the steps (b) through (g) are performed. 
     
     
       61. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, further including altering the selectable location of the view, performing the steps (b) through (g), and determining the data or the co-ordinates of the data in terms of a new co-ordinate system. 
     
     
       62. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 61, wherein the pictorial representation is provided to the observer when the selectable location of the view is altered and the steps (b) through (g) are performed. 
     
     
       63. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least two of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       64. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least three of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       65. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least four of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       66. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, further including inserting directly generated image material into the representation, wherein the directly generated image material includes images captured by a running camera. 
     
     
       67. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, wherein the space-related data are provided with references to thematically adjacent data. 
     
     
       68. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 67, wherein the references are hyperlinks. 
     
     
       69. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, wherein the space-related data are provided with references to further spatial data. 
     
     
       70. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 69, wherein the references are hyperlinks. 
     
     
       71. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, wherein said at least one of the spatially distributed data sources is located where the space-related data is collected or processed. 
     
     
       72. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 58, wherein the steps (e) and (f) further include representing the data with a two-dimensional polygonal geometrical model of the topography of the object, the spatial relationship of the data being given by the provision of two co-ordinates on the polygonal geometrical model, and further wherein in the two-dimensional polygonal grid model, space-related data are shown on a plurality of different two-dimensional layers. 
     
     
       73. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least two of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       74. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least three of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       75. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein the step (c) includes requesting data for the field of view from at least four of the plurality of spatially distributed data sources. 
     
     
       76. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein the data are present as pixel graphics. 
     
     
       77. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein the data are present as vector graphics. 
     
     
       78. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein the data are present in tabular form. 
     
     
       79. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, further including inserting information into the representation. 
     
     
       80. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, further including inserting directly generated image material into the representation. 
     
     
       81. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, further including inserting directly generated image material into the representation, wherein the directly generated image material includes images captured by a running camera. 
     
     
       82. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one of the spatially distributed data sources is located where the space-related data is collected or processed. 
     
     
       83. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 2, further including altering the selectable direction of the view, performing the steps (b) through (g), and determining the data and/or the co-ordinates of the data in terms of a new co-ordinate system. 
     
     
       84. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 2, wherein a pictorial representation is provided to the observer when the selectable location of the view is altered and the steps (b) through (g) are performed. 
     
     
       85. The method of pictorial representation defined in claim 4, wherein a pictorial representation is provided to the observer when the selectable direction of the view is altered and the steps (b) through (g) are performed.